As the federal government alters laws and civil liberties, Americans utilize their right to protest to speak up for their freedom and independence. The First Amendment states that Americans have the right to freedom of speech and of the press, as well as “the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” The Boston Tea Party of 1773 marks one of the first American protests, weaving the practice of protest into the framework of American history and culture. More recent protests include Black Lives Matter, a movement in response to police brutality, as well as the Me Too movement, a campaign with the goal of bringing awareness to sexual harassment and assault. As the country emerges from the pandemic, the dawn of a second Trump presidency has created polarizing tension, separating American society immensely.
Current protest groups such as the 50501 and the Hands Off organizations have launched staunch acts of resistance to Donald Trump’s policies during his second administration. As of April 5, the Hands Off protest was the largest one-day protest against Trump’s administration nationwide. Participants demonstrated their disapproval of the newly imposed tariffs, economic decline, Elon Musk’s involvement in the government, and numerous controversies relating to Trump. As a result of its successful attendance, members of Hands Off organized another protest on April 19 to continue the momentum of the previous rally. However, negative responses to these nationwide protests by Trump and his allies have been surfacing. CNN reports his response on the social media platform, Truth, saying: “All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests,” and “Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came.”
